Choosing the right school for your child is a significant decision, one that can feel overwhelming. We understand the importance of finding an environment where your child will thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. To help you make an informed choice, we warmly encourage you to schedule a visit to our school. 

Here's why a visit can be invaluable:

• Experience the Atmosphere: A visit allows you to witness firsthand the school's culture, the interactions between students and teachers, and the overall learning environment. You'll get a sense of the school's energy and whether it resonates with your family's values.

• Observe the Facilities: You can tour the classrooms, library, playground, and other facilities, ensuring they meet your child's needs and interests.

• Meet the Staff: Interacting with teachers, administrators, and support staff provides an opportunity to ask questions and gain insights into their teaching philosophies and commitment to student success.

• See Learning in Action: Observing lessons and activities gives you a glimpse into the school's teaching methods and curriculum. You can see how students engage with the material and how teachers foster a love of learning.

• Address Your Concerns: A visit allows you to directly address any questions or concerns you may have, ensuring you have all the information you need to make a confident decision.

• Student Interactions: If possible, observe student interactions. This can provide a good view of the social dynamics of the school.

• Learn about Extra Curricular Activities: You can learn about the clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities offered by the school.

We believe that seeing our school in person will provide you with a much clearer picture of what we have to offer. We are confident that you will find our school to be a welcoming and enriching environment for your child.

ENROLMENT PROCEDURES

We encourage parents to pre-enrol their child as early as possible, preferably by the age of 4. Pre-enrolment of siblings younger than 4 of students already at school is beneficial to forward planning.

Preference

The school is open to all students with a connection to a Catholic Parish Community.   A preference card will be required for each child enrolling at school.  The Principal is available to assist with this, as it needs to be signed by the local priest.   An Enrolment Contract Form is filled out and signed by parents indicating that they consent to their child participating fully in the Religious Education Programme and agreeing to pay Attendance Dues to the Catholic Integrated Schools Office.  The Preference Card and Enrolment forms are then presented at the school.

Non-Prference

a)   A limited number of students with non-preference status may be on the school roll.

b)   Parents are able to place their child’s name on the waiting list at any time.  Students will be offered placement as vacancies occur in accordance with the school’s enrolment policy.

State-Integrated School Enrolment

St Joseph’s Catholic School, Te Aroha, is state-integrated, meaning it integrates a specific religious character (Catholic) into the state curriculum. Enrolment is divided into "preference" and "non-preference" categories.

1. Preference Students (Catholic)

• Preference Determination:

  • Agents: Father Tovio and Robin Spencer.

• Preference Grounds:

  • 5.1: Child is baptised or preparing for baptism in the Catholic Church.

  • 5.2: Child's siblings have been baptised in the Catholic faith.

  • 5.3: At least one parent/guardian is Catholic, and the child's school participation may lead to baptism.

  • 5.4: With parental agreement, a grandparent or significant adult supports the child's Catholic faith formation.

  • 5.5: One or both non-Catholic parents/guardians are preparing to become Catholic.

2. Non-Preference Students (Limited Places)

• Availability:

  • Maximum non-preference places: 7.

  • Currently, we have 2 places available this year.

• General Criteria:

  • Applicants accept the school's special character and agree to participate in its program.

  • Applicants agree to pay attendance dues set by the Proprietor (non-voluntary).

• This School's Specific Criteria (Priority Order):

  • i. Siblings of current non-preference students.

  • ii. Siblings of former non-preference students.

  • iii. Children of staff or Board members.

  • iv. Non-preference students transferring from another integrated school with the same special character.

  • v. Children living within 1 kilometre of the school who wish to participate in the school's special character program.

• Waiting List:

  • Non-preference applicants may join a waiting list, ordered by date and number.

  • Applicants are contacted if places become available.

  • The waiting list is cleared at the end of each calendar year; applicants must reapply for the following year.

• Hard Copy Information:

  • Enrolment information is available in hard copy from the school office.